Course Title: Collect and manage data
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2015
Course Code: MATH7058C
Course Title: Collect and manage data
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Namrita Kaul
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309
Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Peter Homan
email: peter.homan@rmit.edu.au
Please note that Peter is a sessional teacher and is only at RMIT on Mondays. He may not be able to respond promptly to your emails.
Please contact Namrita Kaul if the matter is urgent
PLEASE NOTE: It is essential that all students attend the lectures prior to the Eumeralla Field Trip on 9/2 and 23/2, so that students are familiar with safety and animal welfare measures.
Nominal Hours: 120
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This competency standard covers the process of collecting, analysing and managing data.
It requires the ability to determine the type and extent of data to be collected, access and collate data, evaluate data,
manage, analyse and retrieve data. Collecting and managing data requires knowledge of data collection techniques and procedures,
data recording and evaluation techniques, data analysis and data storage and retrieval methods.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
AHCWRK502A Collect and manage data |
Element: |
1. Determine the type and extent of data to be collected |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Data requirements are clearly defined and communicated to all staff involved in data collection. |
Element: |
2. Access and collate data |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Data collection sheets are formatted to assist collection. |
Element: |
3. Evaluate data |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Data collected is relevant, valid and sufficient. |
Element: |
4. Manage and retrieve data |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Data is stored by appropriate electronic means. |
Element: |
5. Analyse and interpret data |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Data is analysed using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques. |
Learning Outcomes
- Data is researched using appropriate methods and technologies.
- Data is collected from scientific sources and in the field.
- Data collected is analysed for relevance and validity.
- Data is stored by electronic means.
- Data is assembled and provided to client as required to industry standard.
- Data is analysed using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques.
- Findings based on analysis and interpretation are reported.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities are broken into two distinct areas.
During the first semester students will receive training in methods and techniques used by industry and researchers to conduct field surveys of mammals, reptiles and frogs. You will also learn how to produce a short report for your client (in this case Parks Victoria) on the results of your field study. Techniques for analysing, evaluating and interpreting vertebrate data will also be taught.
During the second semester students will receive training in methods and techniques used by industry and researchers to conduct field surveys of freshwater macroinvertebrates and fish. You will also learn basic skills for testing the quality of water. You will learn how to produce a full scientific report for your client (in this case the City of Whittlesea) on the results of your wetland study. Techniques for analysing, evaluating and interpreting macroinvertebrate fauna and fish will also be taught.
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1: 2015
Monday 9/2. Introduction to course. Initial preparation for Eumeralla Field Trip.
Monday 23/2: Further preparation for first field trip. Training in safety, animal ethics and techniques for surveying vertebrate fauna.
Monday 2/3 - Thursday 5/3: Four day field trip to Eumeralla section of the Great Otway National Park .
Monday 16/3: Follow-up to field trip. Report writing instructions.
Monday 23/3: Data analysis & interpretation. Statistics, Excel exercises.
Monday 30/3: Data analysis & interpretation. Reliable data. Evaluating data.
Monday 13/4: Data anaysis & interpretation. Databases
Semester 2:
Monday 6/7: Introduction.
Monday 13/7: Understanding freshwater ecosystems. Physical/chemical testing of water.
Monday 20/7: Freshwater macroinvertebrates & fish.
Monday 3/8: All day field trip to Growling Frog Golf Course.
Monday 10/8: Follow-up to field trip. Report writing.
Monday 17/8: Excel exercises.
Monday 24/8: Data analysis & interpretation. Statistics
Monday 31/8: No classes Student vacation.
Monday 7/9: Data analysis & interpretation. Reliable data. Evaluating data.
Monday 14/9: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands, Doreen.
Monday 21/9: Follow-up to first field trip.
Monday 28/9: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands.
Monday 5/10: No class (Wonthaggi field trip - second year students)
Monday 12/10: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands.
Monday 19/10: 9.30 - 12.30. Follow-up to Laurimar field trips.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
To view Peter Homan’s published research papers go to "Google Scholar" and put "Peter Homan fauna" in the search field. You will see several papers on the ecology of mammals, reptiles and frogs.
Also check the RMIT Research Repository.
Overview of Assessment
- Collect data on vertebrate fauna and freshwater macroinvertebrate fauna.
- Prepare reports for clients (2 assessments).
- Analyse, evaluate and interpret data following field trips (2 assessments).
Assessment Tasks
There are three assessments in semester 1 and three in semester 2.
Semester 1:
Assessment 1. Collect data on vertebrate fauna during Eumeralla field trip. Assessment conducted on field trip. (Satisfactory standard must be obtained)
Assessment 2. Produce a short report for client (Parks Victoria) on results of field study. Due date: Tuesday 28/4/2015. (Graded)
Assessment 3. Ten questions on analysing, evaluating and interpreting data from Great Otway National Park. Due date: Tuesday 28/4/2015. (Satisfactory standard must be obtained)
Semester 2:
Assessment 1. Collect data on freshwater macroinvertebrate fauna and fish at two wetland sites on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. Assessment conducted on four field trips. (Satisfactory standard must be obtained)
Assessment 2. Produce a full scientific report for client (City of Whittlesea) on results of wetland study. Due date: Monday 19/10/2015. (Graded)
Assessment 3. Ten questions on analysing, evaluating and interpreting data from wetland sites. Due date: Monday 19/10/2015. (Graded)
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Nominal hours:
Fieldwork - 57 hours
Classroom - 45 hours
Assignment work - 18 hours
Total - 120 hours
- To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (reports, assignments etc.)
- Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.
- APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
- For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Course Overview: Access Course Overview